Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 20: Dinesh Manhas, a social activist of Marh Constituency, has appealed the people of Jammu and Kashmir to visit the historic Jhiri Mela commencing from November 22, in large numbers.
Addressing a press conference here today, Dinesh said that Jhiri Mela is organized every year at village Jhiri near Samachak on Kartik Purnima to commemorate the Dogra folk hero Baba Jitto, who sacrificed his life for honesty and justice.
He said reaching of more and more visitors to Mela will not only encourage the stall owners but also help in promotion of tourism. He informed that lakhs of devotees from every nook and corner of J&K and India congregate here in large numbers to pay obeisance to Baba Jitto, who was a legendry farmer. “Besides having religious significance, the Mela also has a social importance as people from different areas get an opportunity to meet together and share their joys and sorrows”, he added.
Regarding preparations of Mela, Manhas said various arrangements have been put in place well before time by different departments for Jhiri Mela commencing from November 22. Different departments are going to install stalls to create awareness about different Government schemes among the devotees visiting the fair and local people, he added.
“Besides conducting various cultural programmes during the fair, the concerned departments will highlight folk culture of the State to make it more alluring for the pilgrims and tourists, who visit the historic fair”, Dinesh said, adding, the Mela is a major socio-religious event that brings together many people at Jhiri village where the devotees of Baba Jitto forget their caste, creed and language and share an experience of faith with full devotion.
Merry-go-rounds, Giant Wheels, Death Well, Circus, Wrestling, sweet stalls, etc add charm to the Mela, which enthralls the audience and adds to the vibrancy and colorfulness of the atmosphere. Further, he informed that there are also ancient temples of Sui and Buri, about 5 kilometres away from Jhiri village, which are famous for wall paintings and metal idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
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